Rider: 90kgs Weight, Level intermediate to advanced.
Style: Surf,
Weather: 15 - 25knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10

I bought this board off the internet without a demo or even trying something similar in shape. I was concerned about burying the nose and also the volume of the board being too big for me as I had no real clue how to choose the right size. I was also worries that the kite construction would weigh a ton and also if it would hold up.


The Vader is 500gms less than my old board at around 3.5kgs and feels really solid. The volume of the board I think may be a tiny bit much for me (90kgs) as it bounces along the chop a bit, but my previous board (an Axis new wave) had almost no volume and was super flexible so I think I'm just getting used to this board. It's hard to bury the nose although I'm yet to try it on any steep waves but the smaller size of the board makes it really responsive and easy to throw around.

The board turns on a dime and holds the power all the way through the turn, I haven't been able to make the fins skid out yet, you feel really locked in when turning. On a wave you can do tight turns and the board kind of springs back up if you get too bogged down.

I think the fin set up is key with this board as when I tried it with a Thruster I found it twitchy at high speeds and sometimes you would gain to much speed to quick. I do run the Machado Signature fins so that may have something to do with it.

I've been using the board as a Quad and I think I will continue to; I am however using two center fins as I don't have a proper Quad setup. Having the fins set up as a Quad settles the board down and makes you feel more in control.

I did start out using wax with this board but soon got sick of having to rub more on every time so I got some deck grip. The board is also easy to pop off a wave and even flat waver, I did however notice a few pressure dings after two - three sessions out on the deck but they're not that deep and I guess that happens to most boards (right?).

This board has ticked all the boxes for me and I'm very happy with it.

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Hey Bro,
What size is your Vader?

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LeighMajor said..
Hey Bro,
What size is your Vader?

It's a 5'3".

Hey mate! Glad you're stoked on the board. A couple of things:

Yes the board works great with a quad set up but definitely get some flat foiled quad rears for it. The QD2 4.0 set from Futures will be good. The board has the quad boxes more towards the rail so it won't work well with a symmetrical trailer, you want flat foiled or 80/20. Your trailers are also going to be way too big given that you're using the centre fins in them and the board has a lot of rail bite anyways. This means it will be hard to blow the tail on hacks. Definitely consider a new trailer set.

Also, your tail pad is (IMHO) way too far forward. All of the V boards want their pads as far back as you can go with them. I made that mistake at first and it feels worlds better once you move it back.

Glad you're stoked. At 90kgs it's very good you didn't go smaller.

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Drury said..
Hey mate! Glad you're stoked on the board. A couple of things:

Yes the board works great with a quad set up but definitely get some flat foiled quad rears for it. The QD2 4.0 set from Futures will be good. The board has the quad boxes more towards the rail so it won't work well with a symmetrical trailer, you want flat foiled or 80/20. Your trailers are also going to be way too big given that you're using the centre fins in them and the board has a lot of rail bite anyways. This means it will be hard to blow the tail on hacks. Definitely consider a new trailer set.

Also, your tail pad is (IMHO) way too far forward. All of the V boards want their pads as far back as you can go with them. I made that mistake at first and it feels worlds better once you move it back.

Glad you're stoked. At 90kgs it's very good you didn't go smaller.

Yeah I'm going to pick up some real quads when I can lol. They said put the tail pad 2 cms or inches from the leg rope hole or something so I did that, I'll see how different it feels if I stick my foot way back and might consider changing it.

Was that 3.5kg including fins & tail pad ?

I'm also very happy with a quad setup on my Vader, still turns on a dime & I find it much easier to stay upwind than with the thruster set.

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toppleover said..

Was that 3.5kg including fins & tail pad ?

I'm also very happy with a quad setup on my Vader, still turns on a dime & I find it much easier to stay upwind than with the thruster set.

Nuh just the actual board.

Been on the north whip for last 18 months, anyone gone back to back on the Vader and whip or have insight into both?

Have always enjoyed a good hack wit the whip but when it gets bigger it's a lil skatey, so looking for an upgrade.

love my 5'3 vader- personally i prefer 3 fin thruster set up on mine! but i dont generally ride quads much on any board! sweet lil board especially in high winds as its super easy to handle and feels like you are on rails in powered bottom turns but then can release when you want it to! always go smaller than u think. im 94kg and 5'3 is my size of choice- however i generally ride smaller boards anyway.

Ry what fins you using?

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Olly84 said...
Been on the north whip for last 18 months, anyone gone back to back on the Vader and whip or have insight into both?

Have always enjoyed a good hack wit the whip but when it gets bigger it's a lil skatey, so looking for an upgrade.

I'd say these boards are more different then they appear. From all accounts the Vader holds in 2xOH and is not a groveller.

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bene313 said..

Olly84 said...
Been on the north whip for last 18 months, anyone gone back to back on the Vader and whip or have insight into both?

Have always enjoyed a good hack wit the whip but when it gets bigger it's a lil skatey, so looking for an upgrade.

I'd say these boards are more different then they appear. From all accounts the Vader holds in 2xOH and is not a groveller.

Yeah the Vader has a lot of channels running, a big one at the front nose end and then 5 out the back near the fins.

What's the go with the different constructions?

2 different for the surfing Line up and then a seperate one for the kiting line up???!!

But what's the difference between the 3???

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Spark said..
What's the go with the different constructions?

2 different for the surfing Line up and then a seperate one for the kiting line up???!!

But what's the difference between the 3???

I think the kite one just has a bit more glass on the deck, although it doesn't say anything different on the board so it could just be the normal FST build.

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bene313 said..
Ry what fins you using?

Futures- John Johns

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Brohan said..

Spark said..
What's the go with the different constructions?

2 different for the surfing Line up and then a seperate one for the kiting line up???!!

But what's the difference between the 3???

I think the kite one just has a bit more glass on the deck, although it doesn't say anything different on the board so it could just be the normal FST build.

Extra glass layer - it's not the same. You can kite FST but you'll mess it up a lot faster. LFT is a no go for kiting. You'll snap it quickly 100%.

Hey mate, do you paddle surf your 5'3 Vader or just kite it only? I'm keen on getting one
Sorry that was ment for Ryland ????

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adamv said..
Hey mate, do you paddle surf your 5'3 Vader or just kite it only? I'm keen on getting one
Sorry that was ment for Ryland ????

I reckon my mate who's around 70kgs could paddle it but would have to put a bit of an effort in.

It holds my weigh well in the water and I can paddle it, but I don't really surf so I probably get up on a wave.

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adamv said..
Hey mate, do you paddle surf your 5'3 Vader or just kite it only? I'm keen on getting one
Sorry that was ment for Ryland ????

i do mate but not that size- I'm 93/94 kg so 5'3 would be more for someone around the 75/80 kg mark. i paddle the 5'6/5'7-

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Ryland said...

adamv said..
Hey mate, do you paddle surf your 5'3 Vader or just kite it only? I'm keen on getting one
Sorry that was ment for Ryland ????

i do mate but not that size- I'm 93/94 kg so 5'3 would be more for someone around the 75/80 kg mark. i paddle the 5'6/5'7-

I'm around 86/87 Ryland. Do you think a 5"5 would be a good compromise for kiting/surfing? Or don't waste my time and just get a 5"3 for kiting?

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Spark said..

Ryland said...

adamv said..
Hey mate, do you paddle surf your 5'3 Vader or just kite it only? I'm keen on getting one
Sorry that was ment for Ryland ????

i do mate but not that size- I'm 93/94 kg so 5'3 would be more for someone around the 75/80 kg mark. i paddle the 5'6/5'7-

I'm around 86/87 Ryland. Do you think a 5"5 would be a good compromise for kiting/surfing? Or don't waste my time and just get a 5"3 for kiting?

How good of a surfer are you? You can add 5-10% volume wise for paddling compared to pointy nosed PU boards but for me at 80kgs it's still a chore to paddle around. Easy to catch waves on but hard to paddle if that makes sense. If you're decent at riding a short board you can maybe squeak by.

^ deduct 5-10% if you wanna rip though

Anyone know any demos in WA for a paddle? I think Star used to but not anymore.

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bene313 said..
^ deduct 5-10% if you wanna rip though

Anyone know any demos in WA for a paddle? I think Star used to but not anymore.

I mean they paddle bigger than they are. 28.8L is light for me surfing a HPSB but not in a Tomo.

Ah right. Apparently the Evo even more so (trying mine this weekend)

Looking at buying an Vader soon. I am 78kg and intermediate to competent wave rider. I was thinking 5'3", but if guys that are 90kgs can ride it.... I should probably go 5'1 or 5'2.

Any size suggestions?

Imo, it depends on what winds you want to ride in, lighter wind get the 5'3 - stronger 5'1.

At your weight, you would be ok on either.

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toppleover said...
Imo, it depends on what winds you want to ride in, lighter wind get the 5'3 - stronger 5'1.

At your weight, you would be ok on either.

I agree. Can go smaller than think though - volume and surface area is very efficient. I am paddling a 5'1 Vader at 67kg and the size is good. Tried a 5'2 Evo and it was a boat!

From somewhere:

"Volume is not the be all and end all of surfboard design, but it is the most accurate way to compare the huge range of boards that are now on the market. Find a good volume that suits your fitness, ability and comfort level in the surf, and see what boards you can find in that range"

Using this formula, here's the size/volume you may want to consider:
Vanguard 5'2 = 22.9L
Vader 5'1 = 22.9L (Vader 5'3 = 25.8L, probably why it feels "slightly large" to you)
Evo 5'0 = 23.1L"

And: www.thekiteboarder.com/2015/12/2016-buyers-guide-firewire/

Furthermore:

@bene313 if you can paddle a 23 L board.... Ironman! I just got used (fitter) to surfing a 28 L board down from 33 L.

I ordered the 5'1" Vader last night, but living in Sydney I think the 5'2" might have been a better choice given the light winds we have here. I kite with 6 & 10 meter kites on a 5'10 surfboard currently which is probably 26 L. Kite use is suprisngly even between the two sizes as the southerly can often get +20 knots in winter.

Will let you know how it goes, but from what I've read it sounds like the board will be a bit loose in anything bigger than 4ft.

No 5'2 available though. I find the board goes better when it's bigger/good/clean/hollow. So for kiting maybe bigger fins to deal with face chop, not sure. As for volume, there's no nose which is usually 2-3L and all the volume is usable.

You will spin out when you get your 5'1. It looks so small, doesn't look like it will work. Then you ride the thing.....

Have three 5'6 Vanguard arriving in a couple days but can't get anything smaller in the Vanguard or Vader till July! Damn Kelly Slater boards taking up all production